The 2016 presidential bid of John Kasich, who served as the 69th Governor of Ohio, formally began on July 21, 2015. Kasich launched his campaign at The Ohio State University and ran in the Republican Party primaries through the spring of 2016 before ending his effort on May 4, 2016.
Campaign overview
Kasich entered the 2016 Republican field as a candidate with statewide executive experience. His campaign emphasized his record as governor and positioned him as a more moderate, pragmatic option compared with several other contenders. He campaigned across early states and focused particular attention on winning support in his home state.
Primary performance
- Kasich carried his home state of Ohio on March 15, 2016.
- By the time he suspended active campaigning, he had accumulated 154 delegates and finished fourth overall in the Republican delegate count.
Suspension and final position
After continuing in the race longer than most of his rivals, Kasich suspended his campaign on May 4, 2016, following the Indiana primary results. He was the last remaining major challenger to Donald Trump in the Republican contest before ending his run.